Combination printing and hot stamping press



3,3OIJ74 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

IIIIIII I 1li! fl/ f o @WSC/mme 090000 0000 f o\o000 0000 .....lrlllll'y/ lili!" Il'. II'IIIIII ATTURNEV Jan., 3i, i967 T. sci/ME COMBINATION PRINTING AND HOT STAMPING PRESS Filed Deo. 1, 1965 jam.. 3i, i9? T. sclAME COMBINATION PRINTING AND HOT STAMPING PRESS Filed Dec. 1, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG@ INVENTOR. To/v7 `SC/AMIE BY F ATTORNEY Jan. 31, 1967 T, sclAME v3,301,174

COMBINATION PRINTING AND HOT STAMPING PRESS Filed nec. 1, 1965 3 sheets-sheet 3 mvewTo/z. TONY SC/AME BY @fw ATTURNEY `ttes This invention relates to a combination printing and hot stamping press. More specifically, it deals with a unit which may be incorporated in a printing press, or which may be attached to a slightly modified printing press in order to enable printing as well as hot stamping in the same operation.

Printing and hot stamping always have been treated as separate operations. This is understandable when one realizes that the two operations involve different skills and arts. In fact, printing requires only a light contact, often referred to as a kiss, between the material to be printed and the type. Otherwise, the print becomes distorted and the inl; tends to spread and smear. n the other hand, hot stamping, such as gold stamping, requires appreciable contact pressure, as well as heat and a much longer contact time. For these reasons, the two operations have never been incorporated commercially into a single unit.

According to the present invention, a machine and process are provided which make it possible to accomplish the two operations practically simultaneously. The invention, broadly, involves the provision of an aperture in the chase holder of the printing press, and there are also provided a chase back-up plate having an aperture, disposed behind the chase, both the chase and back-up plate being mountable on the front of the open chase holder of the press. Also, a movable heated stamping die is mounted on the back of said chase holder to penerate said holder, back-up plate, and chase, and held for the required time and pressure to effect the stamping while, before, or after, the printing operation is carried out.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment is described, and in which FIGURE l presents a perspective side view of a unit of the present invention, partly cut away, as attachable to a slightly modified platen press (the apertured chase holder being shown in broken lines), with the die mounting plate separated from its heater plate, and also showing the chase and chase back-up plate, as used in conjunction therewith. A heating element is also shown, as removed from its location within the heater plate. FIGURES 2 to 5 depict schematic side views of the various sequential steps involved in the printing and hot stamping operation of this present invention. FIGURE 6 illustrates a schematic side view of a conventional platen press, as slightly modied,'with the unit of the present invention attached thereto. The same numerals refer to similar parts in the various figures.

As can be seen from FIGURE 6, all printing presses, such as the one indicated generally as l1, have a chase 74 in the form of an open frame in which the printing -type is arranged. This chase is inserted into a chase holder t) which is a part of the press frame 12. This holder has a level inner surface on which the type 27 rests in an even condition to given an even imprint on the work or product 21 to be printed.

In the present invention, the chase holder Sil of the press is made with a central open portion 51 (FIGURE l). In order to provide a level resting surface for the type, a chase back-up plate 13 is provided to be disposed behind the chase and to serve the same purpose. However, this back-up plate is also provided with an aperture dld'i Patented Jan. 3l, i967 large enough `so as to permit entry therethrough of the heated die 19, as will be hereinafter outlined.

Referring again to the drawings, reference numeral l@ indicates generally a hot stamping unit of the present invention, as attachable or attached to a platen printing press, indicated generally as 11. The hot stamping unit 10 of the present invention is mounted on the printing press frame 12 behind the chase holder 50.

The components of the hot stamping unit 1t) of the present invention are mounted on four guide rods 14, the forward ends 14 of which are anchored or fastened to press frame 12 immediately behind chase holder Si). The unit comprises a movable die holding and heating plate 15, designed to slide on guide rods 14, via bearings 16. Plate 15 is made of heat-conductive material and is provided with holes 1'7 in which are inserted electric heating elements 1S which are designed to heat plate 15 in a range of, say, about F. to about 300 F., for example, or to a temperature adequate to heat stamping die 19 in the range required to hot stamp the foil material Ztl onto the work 21 being stamped.

Hot stamping die 19 is mounted on beat-conductive die mounting plate 22, by screws 23, the latter being provided with many series of threaded holds for attaching die 19 after it has been properly positioned. Die mounting plate Z2 is attached to heating plate 15 by means of screws 24. It is to be understood that heating plate 15 may, in some cases, be dispensed with, and the die may be heated by separate heaters 52, in which case the die would be moved on rods JA, in the same manner as heating plate 15.

Chase back-up plate 13 is desirably made of heat resistant and preferably poor heat-conducting material, such as stainless steel. It is provided with a level or even type-supporting surface, and it may be backed with a sheet 53 of insulating material, such as phenol formaldehyde resin sheet. It is also provided with an aperture or hole 25. A heated die 19 is designed to enter into or pass through this hole 25. Chase 74 is set with conventional printing type 27, arranged to effect the desired printing on work product 21 (FIGURES 4-5). While the primary purpose of the invention is to print and hot stamp on work 21, it is common practice to incorporate a cutting and/or creasing operation with the printing. Accordingly, a critter die 28 is shown as mounted on chase back-up plate 13 to effect a cutting operation, as well. This cutter is attached to plate 13 by flat or recessed screws 29. Grid lines 30 etched onto the front surface of back-up plate 13 assist in determining and positioning the location of die opening 25, as well as the critter 28, etc. Chase 74 is attachable to its back-up plate by screws entering threaded holes 31, or both the chase and its back-up plate may be inserted in front of chase holder 50 in holding means provided on the press.

Chase 74 also is provided with vertically-directed slits 32, 32, or horizontally-directed slits 33, 33' through which is fed the foil tape 20, carrying the coloring or gold leaf and thermoplastic material for the hot stamping operation. Selection of the slits to be used is dependent upon the location of the type 27, with reference to die 19 and its opening 25. It is also possible to feed foil through openings 54 in cutter blades 2S in cases where the hot stamping is performed within the cutter form. This foil 20 is fed by means of a conventional ratchet-type feeder 34. It is apparent that a chase backup plate 13 would have to be made up for each hot stamp die size and position for the particular job.

Protruding hot stamp die 19 has its forward surface 35 provided with the design or ycharacter to be stamped upon the work 21. It is made of heat-transmitting material, and it is heated by conduction from heating plate 15 and E die mounting plate 22 or from heater element 52. Thermostat 36 serves to control the temperature of plate which, in turn, heats die 19.

It is desirable that heating plate 15 Ibe smaller than opening 51 in chase holder 56 of the press, so that it may enter into the holder aperture to effect its purpose.

Attached to the back of heating plate 15 is ram 37 of hydraulic or pneumatic motor 3S, the latter being pivoted by cylinder plate 39 at dit. Cylinder plate 39 is movably mounted on guide rods 14 via bearings Lift. Ram 37 is designed to move heating plate 1S and die i9 to and from the hot stamping location.

A thrust bearing (not shown) is disposed on the rear wall of cylinder plate 39, and screw 42 has its end mounted therein. The rearward ends 14 of guide rods i4- are anchored in rear plate 43, and a threaded bearing 44 is provided in this plate i3 for rotation therein of screw' 42, which screw is turned by the turning of hand knob 45 on the end thereof. Rear plate 43 is attached to frame 12 of the printing press by Conventional means. Handle 45 on screw 42 is employed for vernier yadjustment in positioning cylinder plate S9, which in turn, determines the distance of travel of die T19.

The operation of the unit is schematically illustrated in FIGURES 2 6. When the unit is in idle or rest position (FIGURE 2), foil 2li is drawn through the slits over opening 25 and the hot die 19 is retracted so that the heat from heating 'plate 15 does not heat up the chase 74 and its back-up plate 13. Thereafter, (FIG- URE 3) the ink roller 46 picks up ink from pad 47 and the roller rolls over type 27, thereby depositing a hlm of ink on type 27. In the next step (FIGURE 4), the platen 48, carrying the work product 21 (which was fed from feed board 49), is moved so that the work 21 makes a kiss contact with ty-pe 27. In the meantime, ram 37 forces die 19 through hole 25 and into contact with foil (FGURE 5), which 'action can take place prior to contact of Work 21 with type 27, and may be prolonged even after Work 21 has broken contact with type 27. The cycle then is repeated.

As is apparent from the foregoing, since the hot stamping requires greater pressure and more contact time than the printing, it is possible, Iby proper timing ot ram 37 and adjustment of protruding distance of die 19 (by turning knob 4S), to cause die 19 to make contact with the Work prior to or/ and after the printing contact has been made. The required embossing or debossing of the work may require a raised or depressed portion in the platen 48 for the hot stamping, creasing or cutting. Creasing can be effected similarly to cutting.

I claim:

l. A combination printing and hot stamping press having a stationary frame, and comprising, in combination,

a platen designed to deliver to the type area the work to be printed and hot stamped,`

a stationary chase holder disposed on the press frame and having an aperture through which the hereinafter-mentioned die is designed to travel,

a stationary chase, designed to carry set printing type,

and attachable ahead of said chase holder, and having an open area in alignment with said aperture,

a stationary chase back-up plate disposed behind said chase and ahead of said chase holder 'and designed to serve as a support for chase type, and having an aperture into which said hereinafter-mentioned die is designed to travel,

holding and feeding means for holding and fee-ding stamping foil tape in front of said aperture,

guide means having its forward portion attachable to said frame behind said chase holder,

a heat-conductive die movably mounted on said guide means behind said chase holder in forwardly-protruding relation toward said chase holder and disposed in alignment with said apertures so as to freely enter and leave same,

heating means for heating said die,

moving means mounted on said guide means behind said die and designed to move said die to and from said apertures, and

distance control means mounted on said guide means and designed to control the distance of travel of said die in a manner such that when work on said platen is moved for light contact with said type, said moving means is arranged to cause said die to pass into or tl rough said aperture and eltect longer contact of said die and foil on said work than the contact time of said work with said type.

2. A combination printing and hot stamping press, according to claim 1, having a heating plate mounted on said guide means and designed to carry said protruding die, and

said heating means being carried in said heating plate for heating said die.

3. A combination Aprinting and hot stamping press according to claim 2 in which said `guide means comprises guide rods, and said die is designed to ride thereon.

4. A combination printing and hot stamping press, according to claim 3, in which said moving means is movably mounted on said guide rods.

5. A combination printing and hot stamping press according to claim 3 having an anchoring plate in which the rearward ends of said guide rods are anchored.

6. A combination printing and hot stamping press `according to claim 5 in which said moving means comprises a pressure cylinder and ram, said ram being oonnected to the back of said heating plate and said pressure cylinder being pivoted on a cylinder plate mounted on said rods, and having a Vernier screw serving as a distance control means, said screw passing in threaded relation through said anchoring plate and having its one end rotatably attached to the back of said cylinder plate and its other end provided with a knob for adjusting the distance of travel of said die.

7. A process for simultaneous printing and hot stamping on a work piece with a press provided with a platen, an apertured type-holding chase in front of which apertures a thermoplastic oil is fed, an apertured chase back-up plate, and an apertured chase holder, comprising,

inking the type on said chase,

moving said platen carrying said work toward said chase,

moving a heated die toward and into the back of said chase holder, chase back-up plate and chase, in line with said apertures,

contacting the work lightly with said type, and

simultaneously moving said die into and/or through said apertures and impressing said heated die on said work for a contact time longer than that of said type on said work.

8. A combination printing and hot stamping press, according to claim 1, wherein the feeding means for feeding said stamping foil tape comprises slits disposed in the peripheral edges of said chase.

9. A combination printing and hot stamping press, according to claim 8, wherein a cutter is mounted on the chase back-up pla-te, and openings vprovided in said cutter to enable feeding therethrough of a hot die stamping tape.

References Cited hy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,651,928 12/1927 Moscini 101-27 1,937,195 11/1933 Freeman et al. 101-27 3,195,450 7/1965 Sciame 101--9 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

W. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION PRINTING AND HOT STAMPING PRESS HAVING A STATIONARY FRAME, AND COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PLATEN DESIGNED TO DELIVER TO THE TYPE AREA THE WORK TO BE PRINTED AND HOT STAMPED, A STATIONARY CHASE HOLDER DISPOSED ON THE PRESS FRAME AND HAVING AN APERTURE THROUGH WHICH THE HEREINAFTER-MENTIONED DIE IS DESIGNED TO TRAVEL, A STATIONARY CHASE, DESIGNED TO CARRY SET PRINTING TYPE, AND ATTACHABLE AHEAD OF SAID CHASE HOLDER, AND HAVING AN OPEN AREA IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID APERTURE, A STATIONARY CHASE BACK-UP PLATE DISPOSED BEHIND SAID CHASE AND AHEAD OF SAID CHASE HOLDER AND DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A SUPPORT FOR CHASE TYPE, AND HAVING AN APERTURE INTO WHICH SAID HEREINAFTER-MENTIONED DIE IS DESIGNED TO TRAVEL, HOLDING AND FEEDING MEANS FOR HOLDING AND FEEDING STAMPING FOIL TAPE IN FRONT OF SAID APERTURE, GUIDE MEANS HAVING ITS FORWARD PORTION ATTACHABLE TO SAID FRAME BEHIND SAID CHASE HOLDER, A HEAT-CONDUCTIVE DIE MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEANS BEHIND SAID CHASE HOLDER IN FORWARDLY-PROTRUDING RELATION TOWARD SAID CHASE HOLDER AND DISPOSED IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID APERTURES SO AS TO FREELY ENTER AND LEAVE SAME, HEATING MEANS FOR HEATING SAID DIE, MOVING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEANS BEHIND SAID DIE AND DESIGNED TO MOVE SAID DIE TO AND FROM SAID APERTURES, AND DISTANCE CONTROL MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEANS AND DESIGNED TO CONTROL THE DISTANCE OF TRAVEL OF SAID DIE IN A MANNER SUCH THAT WHEN WORK ON SAID PLATEN IS MOVED FOR LIGHT CONTACT WITH SAID TYPE, SAID MOVING MEANS IS ARRANGED TO CAUSE SAID DIE TO PASS INTO OR THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND EFFECT LONGER CONTACT OF SAID DIE AND FOIL ON SAID WORK THAN THE CONTACT TIME OF SAID WORK WITH SAID TYPE. 